Inhaling device, control method, and non-transitory computer readable medium

ABSTRACT

An inhaling device for producing an aerosol by using a first substrate and a second substrate, said inhaling device being equipped with a control unit for controlling the operation of a power supply unit which supplies the power for operation of the inhaling device on the basis of the combination of the first and second substrates.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an inhaler device, a control method,and a non-transitory computer readable medium. This application is acontinuation application based on International Patent Application No.PCT/JP2020/025072 filed on Jun. 25, 2020, and the content of the PCTinternational application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Inhaler devices such as electronic cigarettes and nebulizers thatgenerate a material to be inhaled by a user have become widely popular.For example, an inhaler device generates an aerosol to which a flavorcomponent has been imparted by using a substrate including an aerosolsource for generating an aerosol and a flavor source for imparting aflavor component to the generated aerosol. A user can taste flavor byinhaling (hereinafter also referred to as a puff) the aerosol to whichthe flavor component has been imparted thus generated by the inhalerdevice.

Methods for generating an aerosol by an inhaler device are largelyclassified into a liquid atomization method and a stick heating method.According to the liquid atomization method, a liquid aerosol source isatomized to generate an aerosol. According to the stick heating method,a stick including an aerosol source is heated to generate an aerosol.Furthermore, Patent Literature 1 discloses a hybrid inhaler devicecombining the liquid atomization method and the stick heating method.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: International Publication No. 2020/039589

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

A hybrid inhaler device generates an aerosol by using two substrates,that is, a substrate including a liquid aerosol source and astick-shaped substrate. Accordingly, flavor of the generated aerosoldepends on a combination of the two substrates.

The present invention was accomplished in view of the above problem, andan object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that canmake operation of a hybrid inhaler device more appropriate.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above problem, an aspect of the present inventionprovides an inhaler device that generates an aerosol by using a firstsubstrate and a second substrate including a controller that controlsoperation of a power supply that supplies electric power for operationof the inhaler device on a basis of a combination of the first substrateand the second substrate.

The controller may control operation of a first heater that heats anaerosol source contained in the first substrate and operation of asecond heater that heats an aerosol source contained in the secondsubstrate by controlling supply of electric power to the first heaterand the second heater by the power supply on a basis of the combinationof the first substrate and the second substrate.

The controller may permit the first heater and the second heater toperform heating in a case where the controller determines that thecombination of the first substrate and the second substrate isappropriate.

In a state where the first heater and the second heater are permitted toperform heating, the controller may cause the first heater to performheating in a case where a first predetermined condition is satisfied andcause the second heater to perform heating in a case where a secondpredetermined condition is satisfied.

The second predetermined condition may include a condition that thefirst heater has started heating.

The controller may determine whether or not the combination of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate is appropriate before the firstheater starts heating.

The first predetermined condition may include a condition that a periodfor which a predetermined user's input is continuously detected hasreached a first period.

The controller may determine whether or not the combination of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate is appropriate in a case where theperiod for which the predetermined user's input is continuously detectedhas reached a second period shorter than the first period.

A difference between the first period and the second period may be equalto or more than a period it takes to determine whether or not thecombination of the first substrate and the second substrate isappropriate.

The controller may determine whether or not the combination of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate is appropriate after the first heaterstarts heating.

The controller may stop heating by the first heater in a case where thecombination of the first substrate and the second substrate is notappropriate.

The second substrate may include the second heater; and the controllermay identify the second substrate on the basis of an electric resistancevalue of the second heater.

The controller may control at least one of an amount of electric powersupplied to the first heater in a case where the first heater performsheating and/or an amount of electric power supplied to the second heaterin a case where the second heater performs heating on a basis of thecombination of the first substrate and the second substrate.

The controller may set a combination of the first substrate and thesecond substrate regarded as being appropriate on a basis of a user'sinput.

The controller may identify the first substrate on a basis of a resultof reading of at least one of an information code, a storage medium,and/or a color given to the first substrate.

The controller may identify the second substrate on a basis of a resultof reading of at least one of an information code, a storage medium,and/or a color given to the second substrate.

The first substrate may contain a flavor source.

The second substrate may contain a liquid aerosol source.

In order to solve the above problem, another aspect of the presentinvention provides a control method for controlling an inhaler devicethat generates an aerosol by using a first substrate and a secondsubstrate, the control method including controlling operation of a powersupply that supplies electric power for operation of the inhaler deviceon a basis of a combination of the first substrate and the secondsubstrate.

In order to solve the above problem, another aspect of the presentinvention provides a program for causing a computer for controlling aninhaler device that generates an aerosol by using a first substrate anda second substrate to control operation of a power supply that supplieselectric power for operation of the inhaler device on a basis of acombination of the first substrate and the second substrate.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, according to the present invention, a mechanism thatcan make operation of a hybrid inhaler device more appropriate isprovided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of an inhalerdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining an example of a timing of execution ofauthentication processing by the inhaler device according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an example of identification informationgiven to a stick substrate according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processingperformed by the inhaler device according to the present embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described belowin detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the specificationand drawings, structural elements having substantially identicalfunctional configurations are given identical reference signs, andrepeated description thereof is omitted.

<1. Configuration Example of Inhaler Device>

An inhaler device generates material to be inhaled by a user. In theexample described below, the material generated by the inhaler device isan aerosol. Alternatively, the material generated by the inhaler devicemay be gas. Hereinafter, user's inhalation of the material generated bythe inhaler device is also referred to simply as “inhalation” or “puff”.A configuration example of the inhaler device will be described below.

An inhaler device according to the present configuration examplegenerates an aerosol by heating a liquid aerosol source and heating asubstrate including an aerosol source. The present configuration examplewill be described below with reference to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of the inhalerdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention. Asillustrated in FIG. 1 , an inhaler device 100 according to the presentconfiguration example includes a power supply 111, a sensor 112, anotifier 113, a memory 114, a communicator 115, a controller 116, aliquid guide 122, a liquid storage 123, a heater 121-1, a heater 121-2,a holder 140, and a heat insulator 144. Furthermore, the inhaler device100 has an airflow path 180.

The heater 121-1, the liquid guide 122, and the liquid storage 123 areincluded in a cartridge 120. The cartridge 120 is detachable from theinhaler device 100. A user inhales in a state where the cartridge 120 isattached to the inhaler device 100 and a stick substrate 150 is held bythe holder 140. The structural elements will be described below inorder.

The power supply 111 stores electric power. The power supply 111supplies electric power to the structural elements of the inhaler device100. The power supply 111 may be, for example, a rechargeable batterysuch as a lithium ion secondary battery. The power supply 111 may becharged by being connected to an external power supply by a universalserial bus (USB) or the like. Alternatively, the power supply 111 may becharged without connection with a power transmission side device by awireless power transmission technology. Furthermore, only the powersupply 111 may be detachable from the inhaler device 100 and may bereplaced with a new power supply 111.

The sensor 112 detects various items of information regarding theinhaler device 100. The sensor 112 outputs the detected information tothe controller 116. In an example, the sensor 112 is a pressure sensorsuch as a condenser microphone, a flow sensor, or a temperature sensor.In a case where the sensor 112 detects a value generated in accordancewith user's inhalation, the sensor 112 outputs information indicative ofthe user's inhalation to the controller 116. In another example, thesensor 112 is an input device that receives information input by theuser, such as a button or a switch. In particular, the sensor 112 caninclude a button for starting/stopping generation of an aerosol. Thesensor 112 outputs the information input by the user to the controller116. In another example, the sensor 112 is a temperature sensor thatdetects a temperature of the heater 121-2. The temperature sensordetects the temperature of the heater 121-2, for example, on the basisof an electric resistance value of a conductive track of the heater121-2. The sensor 112 may detect a temperature of the stick substrate150 held by the holder 140 on the basis of the temperature of the heater121-2.

The notifier 113 provides information to the user. In an example, thenotifier 113 is a light-emitting device such as a light emitting diode(LED). In this case, the notifier 113 emits light in different patternsof light, for example, in a case where the power supply 111 needs to becharged, a case where the power supply 111 is being charged, and a casewhere an abnormality has occurred in the inhaler device 100. The patternof light is a concept including a color, a timing of ON/OFF, and thelike. The notifier 113 may be a display device that displays an image, asound output device that outputs sound, or a vibration device thatvibrates together with or instead of the light-emitting device. Inaddition, the notifier 113 may provide information indicating that theuser has become able to inhale. The information indicating that the userhas become able to inhale is provided in a case where the temperature ofthe stick substrate 150 heated by the heater 121-2 has reached apredetermined temperature.

The memory 114 stores various items of information for operation of theinhaler device 100. The memory 114 is, for example, a non-volatilestorage medium such as flash memory. An example of the informationstored in the memory 114 is information concerning an Operating System(OS) of the inhaler device 100 such as contents of control of thestructural elements by the controller 116. Another example of theinformation stored in the memory 114 is information regarding user'sinhalation such as the number of times of inhalation, an inhalationtime, and an accumulated inhalation time period.

The communicator 115 is a communication interface for transmitting andreceiving information between the inhaler device 100 and another device.The communicator 115 performs communication in conformity with any wiredor wireless communication standard. Such a communication standard maybe, for example, a wireless local area network (LAN), a wired LAN, Wi-Fi(registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark). In anexample, the communicator 115 transmits information regarding user'sinhalation to a smartphone to display the information regarding user'sinhalation on the smartphone. In another example, the communicator 115receives information regarding a new OS from a server to updateinformation of the OS stored in the memory 114.

The controller 116 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and acontrol circuit, and controls the overall operations of the inhalerdevice 100 in accordance with various programs. The controller 116includes an electronic circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU)or a microprocessor, for example. In addition, the controller 116 mayinclude a read only memory (ROM) that stores programs and operationparameters to be used and a random access memory (RAM) that temporarilystores parameters that change as appropriate. The inhaler device 100performs various kinds of processing under control of the controller116. Supply of electric power from the power supply 111 to the otherstructural elements, charging of the power supply 111, detection ofinformation by the sensor 112, notification of information by thenotifier 113, storing and reading out of information by the memory 114,and transmission and reception of information by the communicator 115are examples of processing controlled by the controller 116. Otherprocessing performed by the inhaler device 100 such as input ofinformation to the structural elements and processing based oninformation output from the structural elements is also controlled bythe controller 116.

The liquid storage 123 stores an aerosol source. The aerosol source isatomized to generate an aerosol when heated. The aerosol source is, forexample, a liquid such as polyhydric alcohol or water. Examples of thepolyhydric alcohol include glycerine and propylene glycol. The aerosolsource may further include a tobacco raw material or an extract derivedfrom a tobacco raw material that emits a flavor component when heated.The aerosol source may further include nicotine. For the inhaler device100 that is a medical inhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol sourcemay include a medicine to be inhaled by a patient.

The liquid guide 122 guides, from the liquid storage 123, the aerosolsource that is the liquid stored in the liquid storage 123, and holdsthe aerosol source. The liquid guide 122 is, for example, a wick formedby twining fiber material such as glass fiber or porous material such asporous ceramic. The liquid guide 122 is liquid-communicated with theliquid storage 123. Accordingly, capillary action spreads the aerosolsource stored in the liquid storage 123 to the whole liquid guide 122.

The heater 121-1 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol sourceand thus generate the aerosol. The heater 121-1 has any shape such as acoil shape, a film shape, or a blade shape and is made of any materialsuch as a metal or a polyimide. The heater 121-1 is disposed close tothe liquid guide 122. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 , the heater121-1 includes a coil wound around the liquid guide 122. When the heater121-1 produces heat, the aerosol source held by the liquid guide 122 isheated and atomized to generate the aerosol. The heater 121-1 producesheat when receiving electric power from the power supply 111. In anexample, the electric power may be supplied and the aerosol may begenerated while user's inhalation is being detected by the sensor 112.In another example, the electric power may be supplied and the aerosolmay be generated in response to the sensor 112 detecting a predetermineduser's input (e.g., pressing of the button for starting/stoppinggeneration of the aerosol). Subsequently, the supply of the electricpower may be stopped in response to the sensor 112 detecting apredetermined user's input (e.g., next pressing of the button forstarting/stopping generation of the aerosol).

The holder 140 has an internal space 141 and holds the stick substrate150 in a manner partially accommodated in the internal space 141. Theholder 140 has an opening 142 that allows the internal space 141 tocommunicate with outside. The holder 140 holds the stick substrate 150that is inserted into the internal space 141 through the opening 142.For example, the holder 140 is a tubular body having the opening 142 anda bottom 143 as a bottom surface, and defines the pillar-shaped internalspace 141. The holder 140 is configured such that an inside diameterthereof is smaller than an outside diameter of the stick substrate 150at least at a part in a height direction of the tubular body, and canhold the stick substrate 150 in a manner such that the stick substrate150 inserted into the internal space 141 is pressed from an outercircumference. The holder 140 also defines a flow path of air passingthrough the stick substrate 150. For example, the bottom 143 has an airinlet hole that is an inlet of air into the flow path. The opening 142serves as an air outlet hole that is an outlet of the air from the flowpath.

The stick substrate 150 is a stick-shaped member. The stick substrate150 includes a substrate 151 and an inhalation port 152.

The substrate 151 includes an aerosol source. The aerosol source isatomized by heating, and thus the aerosol is generated. The aerosolsource may be, for example, one derived from tobacco such as shreddedtobacco or a tobacco raw material processed in a granular shape, a sheetshape, or a powder shape. Furthermore, the aerosol source may includeone not derived from tobacco created from a plant (e.g., mint or a herb)other than tobacco. In an example, the aerosol source may include aflavor component such as menthol. In a case where the inhaler device 100is a medical inhaler, the aerosol source may include a medicine to beinhaled by a patient. Note that the aerosol source is not limited to asolid and may be, for example, a liquid such as polyhydric alcohol orwater. Examples of the polyhydric alcohol include glycerine andpropylene glycol. At least a part of the substrate 151 is accommodatedin the internal space 141 of the holder 140 in a state where the sticksubstrate 150 is held by the holder 140.

The inhalation port 152 is a member held in a user's mouth duringinhalation. At least a part of the inhalation port 152 protrudes fromthe opening 142 in a state where the stick substrate 150 is held by theholder 140. When the user inhales with the inhalation port 152protruding from the opening 142 in his/her mouth, air flows into theholder 140 through the air inlet hole (not illustrated). The air passesthrough the internal space 141 of the holder 140, that is, passesthrough the substrate 151, and the air and an aerosol generated from thesubstrate 151 reach inside the mouth of the user.

The heater 121-2 heats the aerosol source to atomize the aerosol sourceand thus generate the aerosol. The heater 121-2 is made of any materialsuch as a metal or polyimide. For example, the heater 121-2 has afilm-like shape and surrounds the outer circumference of the holder 140.Heat produced from the heater 121-2 heats and atomizes the aerosolsource included in the stick substrate 150 from the outer circumferenceof the stick substrate 150, generating the aerosol. The heater 121-2produces heat when receiving electric power from the power supply 111.In an example, the electric power may be supplied and the aerosol may begenerated in response to the sensor 112 detecting a predetermined user'sinput. The user becomes able to inhale in a case where the temperatureof the stick substrate 150 heated by the heater 121-2 has reached apredetermined temperature. Subsequently, the supply of the electricpower may be stopped in response to the sensor 112 detecting apredetermined user's input. In another example, the electric power maybe supplied and the aerosol may be generated while the sensor 112 isdetecting user's inhalation.

The holder 140 has, on the bottom 143, an air outlet hole 182 of theairflow path 180. The internal space 141 of the holder 140 and theairflow path 180 are communicated through the air outlet hole 182.

The airflow path 180 is a flow path of air to be inhaled by the user.The airflow path 180 has a tubular structure having an air inlet hole181 and the air outlet hole 182 at both ends. The air inlet hole 181 isan inlet of air into the airflow path 180, and the air outlet hole 182is an outlet of the air from the airflow path 180. When the userinhales, air flows into the airflow path 180 through the air inlet hole181, and the air flows out into the internal space 141 of the holder 140through the air outlet hole 182. In an example, the air inlet hole 181is disposed at any position in the inhaler device 100. Meanwhile, theair outlet hole 182 is disposed in the bottom 143 of the holder 140. Theliquid guide 122 is disposed in the airflow path 180. The aerosolgenerated by the heater 121-1 is mixed with air flowing in through theair inlet hole 181. Subsequently, as indicated by an arrow 190, themixture fluid of the aerosol and the air passes through the air outlethole 182 and is conveyed to the air outlet hole 182 when the userinhales. Then, the mixture fluid of the aerosol and the air conveyed tothe internal space 141 of the holder 140 reaches the inside of the mouthof the user together with the aerosol generated by the heater 121-2.

In the present configuration example, the aerosol may be generated byvibration or induction heating instead of heating by the heater 121-1.

In a case where the aerosol is generated by vibration, the inhalerdevice 100 includes a vibrator instead of the heater 121-1. The vibratoris, for example, a plate-shaped member including a piezoceramicfunctioning as an ultrasonic vibrator. When the vibrator vibrates, theaerosol source guided to a surface of the vibrator by the liquid guide122 is atomized by an ultrasonic wave generated by the vibration of thevibrator, and thus the aerosol is generated.

In a case where the aerosol is generated by induction heating, theinhaler device 100 includes a susceptor and an electromagnetic inductionsource instead of the heater 121-1. The susceptor produces heat byelectromagnetic induction. The susceptor is made of a conductivematerial such as a metal. The susceptor is disposed close to the liquidguide 122. For example, the susceptor is a conductive wire made of ametal and is wound around the liquid guide 122. The electromagneticinduction source causes the susceptor to produce heat by electromagneticinduction. The electromagnetic induction source is, for example, acoil-shaped conductive wire. The electromagnetic induction sourcegenerates a magnetic field upon supply of an alternating current fromthe power supply 111. The electromagnetic induction source is disposedso that the susceptor overlaps the generated magnetic field.Accordingly, when a magnetic field is generated, an eddy current isgenerated in the susceptor, and Joule heat is produced. The Joule heatheats and atomizes the aerosol source held by the liquid guide 122 andthus generates the aerosol.

Similarly, in the present configuration example, the aerosol may begenerated by induction heating instead of heating by the heater 121-2.

In this case, the stick substrate 150 further includes a susceptor. Thesusceptor produces heat by electromagnetic induction. The susceptor ismade of a conductive material such as a metal. In an example, thesusceptor is a piece of metal. The susceptor is disposed close to theaerosol source. For example, the susceptor is included in the substrate151 of the stick substrate 150.

Furthermore, the inhaler device 100 includes an electromagneticinduction source instead of the heater 121-2. The electromagneticinduction source is, for example, a coil-shaped conductive wire andwound around the outer circumference of the holder 140. Theelectromagnetic induction source generates a magnetic field upon supplyof an alternating current from the power supply 111. The electromagneticinduction source is disposed so that the internal space 141 of theholder 140 overlaps the generated magnetic field. Accordingly, when amagnetic field is generated in a state where the stick substrate 150 isheld by the holder 140, an eddy current is generated in the susceptor,and Joule heat is produced. The Joule heat heats and atomizes theaerosol source included in the stick substrate 150 and thus generatesthe aerosol.

The configuration example of the inhaler device 100 has been describedabove. The inhaler device 100 is not limited to the above configurationand can have various configurations illustrated below.

In an example, the heater 121-2 may have a blade shape and be disposedso as to protrude from the bottom 143 of the holder 140 into theinternal space 141. In this case, the blade-shaped heater 121-2 isinserted into the substrate 151 of the stick substrate 150 and heats thesubstrate 151 of the stick substrate 150 from an inside. In anotherexample, the heater 121-2 may be disposed so as to cover the bottom 143of the holder 140. Alternatively, the heater 121-2 may be a combinationof two or more of a heater that covers the outer circumference of theholder 140, a blade-shaped heater, and a heater that covers the bottom143 of the holder 140.

In another example, the holder 140 may include an opening/closingmechanism, such as a hinge, that opens and closes a part of an outershell forming the internal space 141. The holder 140 may hold the sticksubstrate 150 inserted into the internal space 141 by opening andclosing the outer shell. In this case, the heater 121-2 may be providedat a holding position of the holder 140 and heat the stick substrate 150while pressing the stick substrate 150.

Furthermore, means for generating the aerosol is not limited to heating.For example, the means for generating the aerosol may be vibrationatomization or induction heating.

<2. Technical Features>

(1) Basic Operation of Inhaler Device 100

The inhaler device 100 generates the aerosol to be inhaled by the user.In particular, the inhaler device 100 generates the aerosol by using twosubstrates, that is, a first substrate and a second substrate.Hereinafter, a user's action of inhaling the aerosol generated by theinhaler device 100 by using the inhaler device 100 is also referred tosimply as inhalation (puff) or an inhaling action. An example of thepuff is inhaling with the inhalation port 152 of the stick substrate 150inserted into the inhaler device 100 in his or her mouth. The user caninhale the aerosol generated by the inhaler device 100 by puffing.

The heater 121-2 is an example of a first heater that heats the aerosolsource contained in the first substrate. When the aerosol sourcecontained in the first substrate is heated by the heater 121-2, theaerosol is generated. The stick substrate 150 is an example of the firstsubstrate. The stick substrate 150 contains a flavor source that emits aflavor component when heated. An example of the flavor component is anextract of tobacco leaves. Hereinafter, the heater 121-2 is alsoreferred to as a stick heater 121-2.

The heater 121-1 is an example of a second heater that heats the aerosolsource contained in the second substrate. When the aerosol sourcecontained in the second substrate is heated by the heater 121-1, theaerosol is generated. The cartridge 120 is an example of the secondsubstrate containing the liquid aerosol source. The cartridge 120 cancontain a flavor source that emits a flavor component when heated. Anexample of the flavor component is menthol. Hereinafter, the heater121-1 is also referred to as a cartridge heater 121-1.

The aerosol generated by the stick heater 121-2 is also referred to as astick-side aerosol. Meanwhile, the aerosol generated by the cartridgeheater 121-1 is also referred to as a cartridge-side aerosol. In a casewhere the stick-side aerosol and the cartridge-side aerosol need not bedistinguished from each other, the stick-side aerosol and thecartridge-side aerosol are collectively referred to simply as anaerosol.

When the user puffs, the cartridge-side aerosol passes through the sticksubstrate 150 and reaches the inside of the mouth of the user. Thecartridge-side aerosol takes in the flavor component from the flavorsource contained in the stick substrate 150 when passing through thestick substrate 150. Furthermore, the cartridge-side aerosol is mixedwith the stick-side aerosol when passing through the stick substrate150. Accordingly, the user can inhale the aerosol to which the flavorcomponent derived from the stick substrate 150 has been imparted.

In a case where the aerosol source included in the stick substrate 150runs out, the old stick substrate 150 is detached and is replaced with anew stick substrate 150.

Similarly, in a case where the aerosol source included in the cartridge120 runs out, the old cartridge 120 is detached and is replaced with anew cartridge 120.

Control of Stick Heater 121-2

The controller 116 controls the stick heater 121-2 to perform heating inaccordance with a heating profile. The heating profile is informationthat defines a relationship between an elapsed period from start ofheating by the stick heater 121-2 and a temperature of the stick heater121-2. The controller 116 controls the heater 121 so that a temperaturechange similar to a temperature change in the heating profile isrealized in the stick heater 121-2. The stick heater 121-2 may include aconductive track including a resistor, and the sensor 112 may detect thetemperature of the stick heater 121-2 on the basis of electricresistance of the conductive track. The control of the stick heater121-2 can be realized, for example, by controlling supply of electricpower from the power supply 111 to the stick heater 121-2. The controlof the supply of electric power may be performed, for example, by pulsewidth modulation (PWM) control.

Heating performed by the stick heater 121-2 can be classified intopreliminary heating and main heating. The preliminary heating is heatingperformed until a predetermined period elapses from start of heatingaccording to the heating profile or until the temperature of the stickheater 121-2 reaches a predetermined temperature. The main heating isheating performed after the preliminary heating. Note that thepreliminary heating and the main heating may be the same or may bedifferent in terms of contents of PWM control. For example, thepreliminary heating and the main heating may be the same or may bedifferent in terms of a duty ratio.

It is assumed that the aerosol is sufficiently generated from the sticksubstrate 150 at a timing of end of the preliminary heating.Accordingly, the user can inhale a sufficient amount of aerosol byinhaling with the stick substrate 150 in his or her mouth after thepreliminary heating (that is, during the main heating). Note that theaerosol can be generated from the stick substrate 150 even during thepreliminary heating.

The controller 116 starts heating of the stick heater 121-2 in a casewhere a predetermined condition (hereinafter also referred to as a firstpredetermined condition) is satisfied. An example of the firstpredetermined condition is a condition that the sensor 112 has detecteda predetermined user's operation. An example of the predetermined user'soperation is an operation of pressing a button provided on the inhalerdevice 100. Hereinafter, this button is also referred to as a powerbutton.

Control of Cartridge Heater 121-1

The controller 116 controls the cartridge heater 121-1 to performheating in accordance with a predetermined atomization setting. Theatomization setting is information that defines an amount of atomizationper puff. The amount of atomization is an amount of generatedcartridge-side aerosol. The amount of atomization depends on an amountof heating (that is, an amount of supplied electric power). Therefore,the control of the cartridge heater 121-1 can be realized, for example,by controlling supply of electric power from the power supply 111 to thecartridge heater 121-1. The control of the supply of electric power isperformed, for example, by controlling an amount of supplied electricpower per puff. The amount of supplied electric power per puff iscalculated as a product of an electric power supply period and an amountof supplied electric power per unit time. Therefore, the atomizationsetting may be defined by the electric power supply period and theamount of supplied electric power per unit time.

The controller 116 controls the cartridge heater 121-1 to performheating in a case where a predetermined condition (hereinafter alsoreferred to as a second predetermined condition) is satisfied. Forexample, the controller 116 supplies electric power to the cartridgeheater 121-1 in a case where the second predetermined condition issatisfied. An example of the second predetermined condition is acondition that the user has puffed. According to this configuration, theaerosol can be efficiently generated only when the user puffs.

The puff can be detected by the sensor 112 on the basis of a valuegenerated in accordance with user's inhalation acquired by a pressuresensor such as a condenser microphone, a flow sensor, or a temperaturesensor.

Furthermore, the second predetermined condition may include a conditionthat the stick heater 121-2 has started heating. In particular, it isdesirable that the second predetermined condition includes a conditionthat the main heating is being performed. According to thisconfiguration, the cartridge-side aerosol is not generated until thetemperature of the stick substrate 150 rises. It is therefore possibleto prevent a situation where the cartridge-side aerosol is cooled andcondensed while passing through the stick substrate 150 and the sticksubstrate 150 is wetted and deteriorates. Furthermore, it is possible tokeep electric power consumption small.

Needless to say, the second predetermined condition may be a combinationof the plurality of conditions described above. For example, the secondpredetermined condition may be a condition that the main heating isbeing performed and the user has puffed. In this case, the cartridgeheater 121-1 performs heating at a timing of a puff during a periodafter start of the main heating and before the end of the main heating.

(2) Control According to Substrate Pair

The controller 116 controls operation of the stick heater 121-2 andoperation of the cartridge heater 121-1 on the basis of a combination(hereinafter also referred to as a substrate pair) of the sticksubstrate 150 and the cartridge 120. Specifically, the controller 116controls supply of electric power to the stick heater 121-2 and thecartridge heater 121-1 by the power supply 111 on the basis of thesubstrate pair. In particular, the controller 116 controls operation ofthe stick heater 121-2 and operation of the cartridge heater 121-1 onthe basis of the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 (thatis, used for generation of the aerosol). Compatibility between theflavor component contained in the stick-side aerosol and the flavorcomponent contained in the cartridge-side aerosol may be good or may bepoor. According to the above configuration, flavor of the aerosol whichthe user tastes can be made appropriate since control can be performedaccording to whether the compatibility is good or poor.

Some substrate pairs may be appropriate, while others may beinappropriate. It is assumed that in a case where the substrate pair isappropriate, flavor of the aerosol is appropriate. Note that theappropriate flavor is flavor pleasant to the user such as flavorpalatable to the taste of the user. On the other hand, it is assumedthat in a case where the substrate pair is inappropriate, the flavor ofthe aerosol is inappropriate. Note that the inappropriate flavor isflavor unpleasant to the user such as unbalanced miscellaneous flavor.

In view of this, the controller 116 determines whether or not thesubstrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 is appropriate. Forexample, the controller 116 compares the substrate pair attached to theinhaler device 100 with a substrate pair regarded as being appropriatestored in advance. This determination can be made by referring to alook-up table including information indicative of the substrate pairregarded as being appropriate. In a case where the substrate pairattached to the inhaler device 100 matches the substrate pair regardedas being appropriate stored in advance, the controller 116 determinesthat the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 isappropriate. On the other hand, in a case where the substrate pairattached to the inhaler device 100 does not match the substrate pairregarded as being appropriate stored in advance, the controller 116determines that the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 isinappropriate. In a case where the stick substrate 150 or the cartridge120 is not attached, it is determined that the substrate pair attachedto the inhaler device 100 is inappropriate.

Hereinafter, this determination is also referred to as authenticationprocessing. Determining that the substrate pair attached to the inhalerdevice 100 is appropriate is referred to as success of theauthentication processing or authentication. Determining that thesubstrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 is inappropriate isreferred to as failure of the authentication processing orauthentication.

In a case where the authentication processing has succeeded, thecontroller 116 permits the stick heater 121-2 and the cartridge heater121-1 to perform heating. Hereinafter, a state where the stick heater121-2 and the cartridge heater 121-1 are permitted to perform heating isreferred to as a heating permitted state.

The controller 116 causes the stick heater 121-2 to perform heating in acase where the first predetermined condition is satisfied in the heatingpermitted state. On the other hand, the controller 116 does not causethe stick heater 121-2 to perform heating in a case where the firstpredetermined condition is not satisfied in the heating permitted state.Similarly, the controller 116 causes the cartridge heater 121-1 toperform heating in a case where the second predetermined condition issatisfied in the heating permitted state. On the other hand, thecontroller 116 does not cause the cartridge heater 121-1 to performheating in a case where the second predetermined condition is notsatisfied in the heating permitted state.

According to the configuration, the aerosol is generated only in a casewhere the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 isappropriate, that is, in a case where the flavor of the aerosol isappropriate. Therefore, the user can taste the appropriate flavor.

On the other hand, in a case where the authentication processing hasfailed, the controller 116 prohibits the stick heater 121-2 and thecartridge heater 121-1 from performing heating. Hereinafter, a statewhere the stick heater 121-2 and the cartridge heater 121-1 areprohibited from performing heating is also referred to as a heatingprohibited state.

The controller 116 does not cause the stick heater 121-2 to performheating in the heating prohibited state irrespective of whether or notthe first predetermined condition is satisfied. Similarly, thecontroller 116 does not cause the stick heater 121-2 to perform heatingin the heating prohibited state irrespective of whether or not thesecond predetermined condition is satisfied.

According to the configuration, the aerosol is not generated in a casewhere the substrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100 is notappropriate, that is, in a case where the flavor of the aerosol isinappropriate. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user fromtasting the inappropriate flavor and to keep electric power consumptionsmall.

Note that the controller 116 may set the substrate pair regarded asbeing appropriate (that is, may store the substrate pair regarded asbeing appropriate in the memory 114) on the basis of a user's input. Theuser's input may be made on an input device such as a button provided onthe inhaler device 100 or may be made through wireless communicationfrom another device such as a smartphone. According to theconfiguration, user's favorite flavor can be created, and therefore afeeling of satisfaction obtained by a puff can be improved.

In addition, a universal serial bus (USB) cable may be connectable tothe inhaler device 100. The substrate pair regarded as being appropriatemay be set by firmware (FW) update using a USB.

(3) Timing of Authentication Processing

The controller 116 may perform the authentication processing beforestart of heating by the stick heater 121-2. In a case where theauthentication processing fails, the aerosol is not generated at allsince even the preliminary heating is not started. Therefore, it ispossible to prevent the user from tasting the inappropriate flavor andto keep electric power consumption small. Furthermore, since even thepreliminary heating is not performed, unnecessary consumption of thestick substrate 150 can be prevented.

The first predetermined condition may include a condition that a periodfor which the predetermined user's input is continuously detected hasreached a first period. Such a function is provided for a purpose suchas child resistance. That is, safety can be increased by preventing thepreliminary heating from being started in a case where the power buttonis accidentally pressed. In a case where such a function is provided,the controller 116 may perform the authentication processing in a casewhere the period for which the predetermined user's input iscontinuously detected has reached a second period shorter than the firstperiod. Such a configuration will be described specifically withreference to FIG. 2 .

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining an example of a timing of execution ofthe authentication processing by the inhaler device 100 according to thepresent embodiment. The horizontal axis in FIG. 2 represents a time. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 2 , the predetermined user's input isholding down of the power button, the first period is 3 seconds, and thesecond period is 2 seconds. The controller 116 performs theauthentication processing in a case where a period for which the powerbutton is held down has reached 2 seconds. The controller 116 performsthe authentication processing after elapse of 2 seconds and beforeelapse of 3 seconds from start of the holding down of the power button,and starts the preliminary heating in a case where the authenticationhas succeeded. According to the configuration, the authenticationprocessing is not performed in a case where the power button is pressedaccidentally, for example, in a case where the power button is pressedmomentarily. It is therefore possible to keep electric power consumptionsmall.

A period it takes to perform the authentication processing is alsoreferred to as an authentication time. It is desirable that a difference(1 second in the example illustrated in FIG. 2 ) between the firstperiod and the second period is equal to or more than the authenticationtime. According to this configuration, the authentication time can beincluded in the period of the holding down of the power buttonoriginally required for start of the preliminary heating. As a result,the authentication time elapses while the user is holding down the powerbutton to start the preliminary heating, and therefore a user's waitingperiod can be shortened since the authentication processing has beenalready performed.

Note that in a case where the predetermined user's input is no longerdetected before the period for which the predetermined user's input iscontinuously detected reaches the first period, a result of theauthentication processing is made invalid even in a case where theauthentication processing has been completed. For example, in theexample illustrated in FIG. 2 , in a case where it is determined thatauthentication has succeeded and the holding down of the power button isinterrupted before elapse of 3 seconds from start of the holding down ofthe power button, the success of the authentication is made invalid.Accordingly, to start the preliminary heating, it is necessary to holddown the power button for 3 seconds again, and the authenticationprocessing is also performed again.

The controller 116 may perform the authentication processing after startof heating by the stick heater 121-2. For example, the controller 116regularly performs the authentication processing after start of thepreliminary heating. According to this configuration, in a case wherethe stick substrate 150 or the cartridge 120 is replaced after start ofthe preliminary heating, it can be determined whether or not thesubstrate pair after the replacement is appropriate.

The controller 116 may stop heating by the stick heater 121-2 in a casewhere the authentication processing has failed. According to thisconfiguration, in a case where the substrate pair becomes inappropriateas a result of replacement of the stick substrate 150 or the cartridge120 after start of the preliminary heating, generation of the aerosol isstopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from tasting theinappropriate flavor and to keep electric power consumption small.Furthermore, it is also possible to prevent the stick heater 121-2 fromperforming heating although the stick substrate 150 is not inserted,that is, prevent heating in an empty state.

(4) Identification of Substrate

The stick substrate 150 may be given identification information foridentifying the stick substrate 150. The identification information is,for example, information indicative of a kind of the stick substrate150. In this case, the controller 116 identifies the stick substrate 150on the basis of a result of reading of the identification informationgiven to the stick substrate 150. According to this configuration, thestick substrate 150 attached to the inhaler device 100 can beautomatically identified.

An example of the identification information given to the sticksubstrate 150 will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 . FIG. 3is a view for explaining an example of the identification informationgiven to the stick substrate 150 according to the present embodiment.

A stick substrate 150A illustrated in FIG. 3 is given an informationcode 161 as identification information. The information code 161 may bea barcode as illustrated in FIG. 3 or may be a two-dimensional code. Thesensor 112 may include an image sensor for reading the information code161, and the controller 116 may identify the stick substrate 150 byapplying image recognition to an image including the information code161.

A stick substrate 150B illustrated in FIG. 3 is given a storage medium162 in which identification information is stored. The storage medium162 is, for example, an RF tag in a radio frequency identifier (RFID)technology, and information can be read therefrom and written thereintoby using close-rage wireless communication such as near fieldcommunication (NFC). For example, the communicator 115 may receive theidentification information from the storage medium 162, and thecontroller 116 may identify the stick substrate 150 on the basis of thereceived identification information.

A stick substrate 150C illustrated in FIG. 3 is given a color line 163,which is a line given a color, as identification information. The sensor112 may include an image sensor for reading the color line 163, and thecontroller 116 may identify the stick substrate 150 by recognizing thecolor of the color line 163.

Note that the stick substrate 150 may be given any one of an informationcode, a storage medium, and a color or may be given two or more ofthese. The information code, the storage medium, and the color may begiven at any place that can be read by the inhaler device 100. Althoughan example in which these elements are provided close to a boundarybetween the substrate 151 and the inhalation port 152 is illustrated inFIG. 3 , these elements may be provided, for example, at an end of thesubstrate 151.

Similarly, the cartridge 120 may be given identification information foridentifying the cartridge 120. The identification information is, forexample, information indicative of a kind of the cartridge 120. In thiscase, the controller 116 identifies the cartridge 120 on the basis of aresult of reading of the identification information given to thecartridge 120. For example, the cartridge 120 may be given at least anyone of an information code, a storage medium, and/or a color. Thecontroller 116 may identify the cartridge 120 on the basis of a resultof reading of the at least any one of the information code, the storagemedium, and/or the color given to the cartridge 120. According to thisconfiguration, the cartridge 120 attached to the inhaler device 100 canbe automatically identified.

The cartridge 120 includes the cartridge heater 121-1. An electricresistance value of the cartridge heater 121-1 may vary depending on thekind of the cartridge 120. In this case, the controller 116 identifiesthe cartridge 120 on the basis of the electric resistance value of thecartridge heater 121-1. According to this configuration, the cartridge120 can be identified by a simple method without additionally providingan image sensor or the like.

(5) Flow of Processing

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processingperformed by the inhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the controller 116 determines whether or notthe sensor 112 has detected pressing of the power button (step S102). Ina case where it is determined that pressing of the power button has notbeen detected (step S102: NO), the controller 116 waits until pressingof the power button is detected.

In a case where it is determined that pressing of the power button hasbeen detected (step S102: YES), the controller 116 determines whether ornot a period for which the power button is held down has reached 2seconds (step S104). In a case where it is determined that the periodfor which the power button is held down has not reached 2 seconds (stepS104: NO), the controller 116 waits until the period for which the powerbutton is held down reaches 2 seconds.

In a case where it is determined that the period for which the powerbutton is held down has reached 2 seconds (step S104: YES), thecontroller 116 performs the authentication processing (step S106).

Next, the controller 116 determines whether or not the period for whichthe power button is held down has reached 3 seconds (step S108). In acase where it is determined that the period for which the power buttonis held down has not reached 3 seconds (step S108: NO), the controller116 waits until the period for which the power button is held downreaches 3 seconds. The controller 116 may continue execution of theauthentication processing during a waiting period.

In a case where it is determined that the period for which the powerbutton is held down has reached 3 seconds (step S108: YES), thecontroller 116 determines whether or not the authentication hassucceeded (step S110). In a case where it is determined that theauthentication has failed (step S110: NO), the processing is finished.

In a case where it is determined that the authentication has succeeded(step S110: YES), the controller 116 starts the preliminary heating bystarting supply of electric power to the stick heater 121-2 (step S112).

Next, the controller 116 determines whether or not a predeterminedperiod has elapsed from the start of the preliminary heating (stepS114). In a case where it is determined that the predetermined periodhas not elapsed from the start of the preliminary heating (step S114:NO), the controller 116 waits until the predetermined period elapsesfrom the start of the preliminary heating.

In a case where it is determined that the predetermined period haselapsed from the start of the preliminary heating, the controller 116starts the main heating (step S116).

Next, the controller 116 determines whether or not the sensor 112 hasdetected a puff (step S118).

In a case where it is determined that a puff has not been detected (stepS118: NO), the processing proceeds to step S122.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that a puff has beendetected (step S118: YES), the controller 116 causes the cartridgeheater 121-1 to perform heating by supplying electric power to thecartridge heater 121-1 (step S120). As a result, the cartridge-sideaerosol is generated, and the generated cartridge-side aerosol is mixedwith the stick-side aerosol and reaches the inside of the mouth of theuser. Then, the processing proceeds to step S122.

In step S122, the controller 116 determines whether or not an endcondition has been satisfied. An example of the end condition is acondition that a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of themain heating. Another example of the end condition is a condition that apuff has been detected a predetermined number of times. In a case whereit is determined that the end condition has not been satisfied (stepS122: NO), the processing returns to step S118. On the other hand, in acase where it is determined that the end condition has been satisfied(step S122: YES), the processing ends.

Note that in a case where the holding down of the power button isinterrupted before elapse of 3 seconds in steps S102 to S108, theprocessing ends. In a case where the processing ends, the heating by thestick heater 121-2 is stopped.

Although an example in which the authentication processing is performedbefore the start of the preliminary heating is illustrated in FIG. 4 ,the authentication processing may be performed after the start of thepreliminary heating, as described above. In any case, in a case wherethe authentication has failed, the processing ends.

<3. Supplements>

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed above in detail with reference to the attached drawings, thepresent invention is not limited to the example. It is apparent that aperson skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains canarrive at various changes or modifications within the technical ideadescribed in the claims, and it should be understood that these changesor modifications are encompassed within the technical scope of thepresent invention.

For example, although an example in which whether or not to permitheating is controlled in accordance with a result of the authenticationprocessing has been described in the above embodiment, the presentinvention is not limited to this example. For example, the controller116 may control at least one of an amount of electric power supplied tothe stick heater 121-2 when heating by the stick heater 121-2 isperformed and/or an amount of electric power supplied to the cartridgeheater 121-1 in a case where heating by the cartridge heater 121-1 isperformed on the basis of the substrate pair attached to the inhalerdevice 100. That is, the controller 116 may control at least one of theheating profile and/or the atomization setting on the basis of thesubstrate pair attached to the inhaler device 100. An appropriatemixture ratio of the cartridge-side aerosol and the stick-side aerosolmay vary depending on the substrate pair. In this respect, according tothis configuration, it is possible to realize an appropriate mixtureratio of the cartridge-side aerosol and the stick-side aerosol andthereby make the flavor of the aerosol appropriate.

For example, although an example in which the inhaler device 100 hasboth of the stick heater 121-2 and the cartridge heater 121-1 has beendescribed in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limitedto this example. For example, the inhaler device 100 may have thecartridge heater 121-1 and may be configured not to have the stickheater 121-2. In this case, the inhaler device 100 may control operationof the cartridge heater 121-1 on the basis of the substrate pair.According to this configuration, the cartridge-side aerosol can take inthe flavor component derived from the stick substrate 150 while passingthrough the stick substrate 150. By controlling operation of thecartridge heater 121-1 on the basis of the substrate pair, the flavor ofthe aerosol which the user tastes can be made appropriate, as in theabove embodiment.

For example, the controller 116 need just control operation of the powersupply 111 that supplies electric power for operation of the inhalerdevice 100 on the basis of the substrate pair, and a control target isnot limited to the one described in the above embodiment. That is, thetarget of control based on the substrate pair is not limited to supplyof electric power to the stick heater 121-2 and the cartridge heater121-1. In an example, activation of the inhaler device 100 may bepermitted or prohibited on the basis of the substrate pair. In anotherexample, supply of electric power to structural elements such as thesensor 112 and the communicator 115 may be permitted or prohibited onthe basis of the substrate pair. By thus switching operation of theinhaler device 100 regarding any control target in accordance withwhether or not the substrate pair is appropriate, operation of theinhaler device 100, which is a hybrid inhaler device, can be made moreappropriate.

Note that the series of processes performed by each device describedherein may be realized by using software, hardware, or a combination ofsoftware and hardware. Programs that constitute the software are, forexample, stored in advance in a recording medium (non-transitory medium)provided inside or outside the device. The programs are, for example,loaded into a RAM when executed by a computer and is executed by aprocessor such as a CPU. Examples of the recording medium include amagnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto optical disk, and a flashmemory. The computer programs may be, for example, distributed over anetwork without using a recording medium.

Furthermore, processes described herein by using the flowchart and thesequence diagram need not necessarily be performed in an illustratedorder. Some processing steps may be executed in parallel. Furthermore,an additional processing step may be employed or a processing step maybe omitted.

Note that the following configurations also belong to the technicalscope of the present invention.

(1)

An inhaler device that generates an aerosol by using a first substrateand a second substrate, including:

a controller that controls operation of a power supply that supplieselectric power for operation of the inhaler device on a basis of acombination of the first substrate and the second substrate.

(2)

The inhaler device according to (1), wherein

the controller controls operation of a first heater that heats anaerosol source contained in the first substrate and operation of asecond heater that heats an aerosol source contained in the secondsubstrate by controlling supply of electric power to the first heaterand the second heater by the power supply on a basis of the combinationof the first substrate and the second substrate.

(3)

The inhaler device according to (2), wherein

the controller permits the first heater and the second heater to performheating in a case where the controller determines that the combinationof the first substrate and the second substrate is appropriate.

(4)

The inhaler device according to (3), wherein

in a state where the first heater and the second heater are permitted toperform heating, the controller causes the first heater to performheating in a case where a first predetermined condition is satisfied andcauses the second heater to perform heating in a case where a secondpredetermined condition is satisfied.

(5)

The inhaler device according to (4), wherein

the second predetermined condition includes a condition that the firstheater has started heating.

(6)

The inhaler device according to (4), wherein

the controller determines whether or not the combination of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate is appropriate before the firstheater starts heating.

(7)

The inhaler device according to (6), wherein

the first predetermined condition includes a condition that a period forwhich a predetermined user's input is continuously detected has reacheda first period.

(8)

The inhaler device according to (7), wherein

the controller determines whether or not the combination of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate is appropriate in a case where theperiod for which the predetermined user's input is continuously detectedhas reached a second period shorter than the first period.

(9)

The inhaler device according to (8), wherein

a difference between the first period and the second period is equal toor more than a period it takes to determine whether or not thecombination of the first substrate and the second substrate isappropriate.

(10)

The inhaler device according to any one of (4) to (9), wherein

the controller determines whether or not the combination of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate is appropriate after the first heaterstarts heating.

(11)

The inhaler device according to (10), wherein

the controller stops heating by the first heater in a case where thecombination of the first substrate and the second substrate is notappropriate.

(12)

The inhaler device according to any one of (2) to (11), wherein

the second substrate includes the second heater; and

the controller identifies the second substrate on the basis of anelectric resistance value of the second heater.

(13)

The inhaler device according to any one of (2) to (12), wherein

the controller controls at least one of an amount of electric powersupplied to the first heater in a case where the first heater performsheating and/or an amount of electric power supplied to the second heaterin a case where the second heater performs heating on a basis of thecombination of the first substrate and the second substrate.

(14)

The inhaler device according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein

the controller sets a combination of the first substrate and the secondsubstrate regarded as being appropriate on a basis of a user's input.

(15)

The inhaler device according to any one of (1) to (14), wherein

the controller identifies the first substrate on a basis of a result ofreading of at least one of an information code, a storage medium, and/ora color given to the first substrate.

(16)

The inhaler device according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein

the controller identifies the second substrate on a basis of a result ofreading of at least one of an information code, a storage medium, and/ora color given to the second substrate.

(17)

The inhaler device according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein

the first substrate contains a flavor source.

(18)

The inhaler device according to any one of (1) to (17), wherein

the second substrate contains a liquid aerosol source.

(19)

A control method for controlling an inhaler device that generates anaerosol by using a first substrate and a second substrate, the controlmethod including:

controlling operation of a power supply that supplies electric power foroperation of the inhaler device on a basis of a combination of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate.

(20)

A program for causing a computer for controlling an inhaler device thatgenerates an aerosol by using a first substrate and a second substrateto:

control operation of a power supply that supplies electric power foroperation of the inhaler device on a basis of a combination of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   100 inhaler device-   111 power supply-   112 sensor-   113 notifier-   114 memory-   115 communicator-   116 controller-   120 cartridge-   121-1 heater (cartridge heater)-   121-2 heater (stick heater)-   122 liquid guide-   123 liquid storage-   140 holder-   141 internal space-   142 opening-   143 bottom-   144 heat insulator-   150 stick substrate-   151 substrate-   152 inhalation port-   161 information code-   162 storage medium-   163 color line-   180 airflow path-   181 air inlet hole-   182 air outlet hole

1. An inhaler device that generates an aerosol by using a firstsubstrate and a second substrate, comprising: a controller that controlsoperation of a power supply that supplies electric power for operationof the inhaler device on a basis of a combination of the first substrateand the second substrate.
 2. The inhaler device according to claim 1,wherein the controller controls operation of a first heater that heatsan aerosol source contained in the first substrate and operation of asecond heater that heats an aerosol source contained in the secondsubstrate by controlling supply of electric power to the first heaterand the second heater by the power supply on a basis of the combinationof the first substrate and the second substrate.
 3. The inhaler deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the controller permits the first heaterand the second heater to perform heating in a case where the controllerdetermines that the combination of the first substrate and the secondsubstrate is appropriate.
 4. The inhaler device according to claim 3,wherein in a state where the first heater and the second heater arepermitted to perform heating, the controller causes the first heater toperform heating in a case where a first predetermined condition issatisfied and causes the second heater to perform heating in a casewhere a second predetermined condition is satisfied.
 5. The inhalerdevice according to claim 4, wherein the second predetermined conditionincludes a condition that the first heater has started heating.
 6. Theinhaler device according to claim 4, wherein the controller determineswhether or not the combination of the first substrate and the secondsubstrate is appropriate before the first heater starts heating.
 7. Ininhaler device according to claim 6, wherein the first predeterminedcondition includes a condition that a period for which a predetermineduser's input is continuously detected has reached a first period.
 8. Theinhaler device according to claim 7, wherein the controller determineswhether or not the combination of the first substrate and the secondsubstrate is appropriate in a case where the period for which thepredetermined user's input is continuously detected has reached a secondperiod shorter than the first period.
 9. The inhaler device according toclaim 8, wherein a difference between the first period and the secondperiod is equal to or more than a period it takes to determine whetheror not the combination of the first substrate and the second substrateis appropriate.
 10. The inhaler device according to claim 4, wherein thecontroller determines whether or not the combination of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate is appropriate after the first heaterstarts heating.
 11. The inhaler device according to claim 10, whereinthe controller stops heating by the first heater in a case where thecombination of the first substrate and the second substrate is notappropriate.
 12. The inhaler device according to claim 2, wherein thesecond substrate includes the second heater; and the controlleridentifies the second substrate on the basis of an electric resistancevalue of the second heater.
 13. The inhaler device according to claim 2,wherein the controller controls at least one of an amount of electricpower supplied to the first heater in a case where the first heaterperforms heating and/or an amount of electric power supplied to thesecond heater in a case where the second heater performs heating on abasis of the combination of the first substrate and the secondsubstrate.
 14. The inhaler device according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller sets a combination of the first substrate and the secondsubstrate regarded as being appropriate on a basis of a user's input.15. The inhaler device according to claim 1, wherein the controlleridentifies the first substrate on a basis of a result of reading of atleast one of an information code, a storage medium, and/or a color givento the first substrate.
 16. The inhaler device according to claim 1,wherein the controller identifies the second substrate on a basis of aresult of reading of at least one of an information code, a storagemedium, and/or a color given to the second substrate.
 17. The inhalerdevice according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate contains aflavor source.
 18. The inhaler device according to claim 1, wherein thesecond substrate contains a liquid aerosol source.
 19. A control methodfor controlling an inhaler device that generates an aerosol by using afirst substrate and a second substrate, the control method comprising:controlling operation of a power supply that supplies electric power foroperation of the inhaler device on a basis of a combination of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate.
 20. A non-transitory computerreadable medium having a program stored therein, the program for causinga computer for controlling an inhaler device that generates an aerosolby using a first substrate and a second substrate to: control operationof a power supply that supplies electric power for operation of theinhaler device on a basis of a combination of the first substrate andthe second substrate.